EA Sports College Football 26 includes major opt-out within UNC football program
College football fans and gamers were able to get access to EA Sports College Football 26 on Monday, as the game was available for early access for those who preordered the game.
For fans who want to play as North Carolina, there is a noticeable omission from the game if you look on the sidelines in Chapel Hill. Head coach Bill Belichick is one of 12 coaches who declined to be in the game for this year's version
. Instead, UNC fans will notice a computer-generated "Hector Luna" roaming the Kenan Stadium sidelines.
Joining Belichick amongst head coaches to decline invites: Colorado's Deion Sanders,Miami's (FL) Mario Cristobal, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, Utah State's Bronco Mendenhall, Western Kentucky's Tyson Helton, Jacksonville State's Charles Kelly, Stanford's Frank Reich, UAB's Trent Dilfer, Louisiana-Monroe's Bryant Vincent, New Mexico's Jason Eck and Kent State's Mark Carney.
This isn't anything unusual for Belichick, as he didn't give his likeness to the Madden franchise in past years of the game as well. Belichick hasn't coached in the NFL since 2024, but during games, Madden likes to reference dynasties, past history and other memorable moments to make gameplay more interesting.
Despite Belichick's long history of NFL success, highlighted by eight Super Bowl Championships and 17 AFC East Titles, 2025 will be his first as a college coach. North Carolina reshaped a large part of its projected fall 2025 roster through the transfer portal, landed commitments from several touted class of 2025 and 2026 recruits, plus stole commitments from other programs.
Though EA Sports' CFB 26 release is an exciting moment for many sports fans and gamers across the country, it's likely the least of Belichick's worries right now. The Tar Heels are in desperate need of a return to relevancy, which Belichick has a strong capability to bring.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
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